Chris Conte felt shoulder pop

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print

LAKE FOREST, Ill.  Chicago Bears starting free safety Chris Conte confirmed on Tuesday that he felt his right shoulder pop out of place when he attempted to tackle Washington Redskins running back Evan Royster in the second quarter of Saturday's preseason contest at Soldier Field.

Chicago Bears

ESPN Chicago analyzes the Bears' offseason moves.

Offseason moves | Bears blog »

"I just hit him," Conte said. "The shoulder came out of place, and we got it back in there and it was fine after that.

"It looks like I'll be all right so it's not a huge deal. I'll be all right."

The Bears have essentially ruled out Conte from participating in either of the final two preseason games, but the second-year safety believes he will be cleared to return before the Bears' regular-season opener on Sept. 9 versus the Indianapolis Colts.

"It's not a big deal," Conte said. "I don't plan on missing any regular-season games, but the preseason was going well and you want to keep on getting better and playing in the preseason, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen.

"It's a day-to-day thing. As long as I have range of motion and strength, I should be good. They haven't given me any exact day."

Conte assumed the starting free safety role in Week 6 last season after the club drafted him in the third round of out California. He missed the last two games due to a foot/ankle injury and finished his rookie campaign with 47 tackles and one interception. Veteran Craig Steltz is expected to be paired with Major Wright until Conte is able to return to action.

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print
• Subscribe

Jeff Dickerson | email

Chicago Bears beat reporter

• Follow
• Archive

Dickerson has been the Bears beat reporter for ESPN Chicago since 2004. He also hosts weeknight radio shows on ESPN 1000.